Challenging Braces, Orthotics, and Other Crutches

What’s the difference between a tool and a crutch? The nuance here is profound, but it’s worth exploring nonetheless. While I’m not a doctor and if you wear orthotics, maybe don’t throw them away, but isn’t it confusing to know that you can’t develop stronger arches while wearing orthotics? 

When does the helping start and the hindering begin?

I once tore some ligaments in my ankle, which ultimately put me on crutches. Crutches are quite useful acutely because they help the injured individual keep weight off of the injured leg. And, there’s no recovery if the crutches never get put back in the closet. 

I’m not here to draw the line on when a tool becomes a crutch, but I am here to ask the question. If you’re chronically leaning on tools to get things done, you might want to ask the question: is this helping me still or is this hurting my progress?

5/30/25 WOD

DEUCE Athletics GPP

Complete 4 rounds of the following:
4 Weighted Chin Ups

Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
6 1-Arm Bent Over Lm Rows(ea)
6 Lateral Roller Push-ups
24 Plank to Pillars

5 Rounds for Time
20 Air Squats
20 Alternating Lunges
20 Alternating Split Squat Jumps
10 Squat Jumps

 

DEUCE Garage GPP

6-6-6-6-6
Split Stance Strict Press

Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
(-2) Strict Pull Ups
6-8 Dips with Protraction
8 Paused DB Flys

Then, AMRAP 7
2 Box Jumps (30/24)
8 Alt. DB Snatches (70/50)